Newest arrival helps Stockton win in shootout

Sunday

Mar 3, 2013 at 12:05 AMMar 3, 2013 at 12:08 AM

Ontario goalie Chris Carrozzi bit on Shawn Weller's deke, and Weller followed with a backhanded goal in the fifth round of the shootout to lift the Stockton Thunder to a 3-2 win over the host Ontario Reign on Saturday in front of 9,616 at Citizens Business Bank Arena.

The Record

Ontario goalie Chris Carrozzi bit on Shawn Weller's deke, and Weller followed with a backhanded goal in the fifth round of the shootout to lift the Stockton Thunder to a 3-2 win over the host Ontario Reign on Saturday in front of 9,616 at Citizens Business Bank Arena.

The shootout win was the first this season on the road for the Thunder (30-22-9), and it came against the Pacific Division-leading Reign (39-14-6).

"It's important to find a way to get points," Thunder coach Matt Thomas said. "It's so tight. We're fighting for the home ice, and Las Vegas and Colorado are hot on our heels. It's big to find a way to win those games."

Stockton is fourth in the Western Conference with 69 points, Las Vegas (63) is fifth and Colorado (59) is sixth. The top eight teams advance to the playoffs, with the top four earning home ice advantage in the first round. The Thunder has already secured a playoff spot.

Ryan Hayes, acquired in a trade for future considerations from the South Carolina Stingrays on Friday, had an assist and scored in the shootout.

"It's nice when you get a new guy to give you a spark in some areas," Thomas said. "He had a good game."

Continuing his impressive start with the Thunder, defenseman Brandon Davidson gave Stockton a 1-0 lead just 3 minutes, 16 seconds into the game, taking a lead pass from Matt Bergland that set up the breakaway. Davidson has five goals and eight points in eight games with the Thunder in his return from testicular cancer.

"He's played really well," Thomas said. "He's playing with confidence. With what he's been through it's great to see him contribute the way he has."